The Confident Indie Blog

Topic: Being self-employed

Dear June,
I have been using your system for the past two years and it has helped me stay organized! However this past year, things have gotten slightly more complicated for me as I had 3 types of income: client work (contracted animations), animations/clips sold online on stock sites and my website, and live [...]

June --
I want to order your books, but was just wondering if they will help for the upcoming tax season 2015, some stuff that I have read said 2013.
Thanks,
Mone
Genealogist
Salem, Utah
Hi Mone,
On the email form, to the question: Where do you get most [...]

June --
I am a graduate student who has been doing work with community based participatory research with a university. For participation or doing odd jobs such as transcribing, data collection or research review I get paid here and there. This money is not taxed. In the past the amounts have been small i.e. [...]

From Catonsville, MD --
Where do you get most of your tax advice?
On the street corner, from other boys – doesn't everyone? [Read: Google for it and then get totally confused.]
I didn't intend to freelance this past year (2013), but I did. I couldn't help myself. I said, "I will find [...]

June --
Are there enough deductions being an independent contractor to not have to owe money at the end of the year and if so what are they? Last year I didn't have enough deductions from my business so I had to pay.
LAQUANZY
Architectural Designer
Knightdale, NC
Laquanzy --
[...]

Hi, as a former freelancer of many years with MTV Networks here in NYC I have a great appreciation for the information you dispense here. So thank you for all you do for the indy community.
My question: I will soon be a personal trainer and gym owner. I've already setup an LLC...so how [...]

June --
I am paid a day rate for my services. I work in my Broker’s office about 70 miles from home, and commute back and forth every day. I am paid a mileage expense, but only on Monday and Friday. I am paid a daily rate (Monday thru Friday) for lodging, another for [...]

June --
I am just starting my business, so am looking for resources.
I am collecting Social Security and am older than full retirement age. My SS income is so low, I haven't had to file tax returns. I am hoping my business will supplement my income. Do your publications have relevant information [...]

Hello June.
I have a question about the timeline for reporting business expenses. For example, If I bought my computer I use for work more than a year ago, but haven’t started making any money until just this week (and therefore have had no income to report until now), may I still claim the [...]

This post references my February Ways Through The Maze, I Am A Business - I Have An Indie Power Mindset. June, I have a very poor view of the word "business", and being a counselor, am really struggling with that word. Businesses are "bad", "evil", they "don't care about the people they serve", [...]

June --
I have your book Self-Employed Tax Solutions. Does your newest book the Confident Indie offer any other areas not already covered in your 1st book?
Thank you.
Ed
Austin, Texas
Hi Ed,
If you've read Self-Employed Tax Solutions then no need to get The Confident [...]

Hello June, I just purchased “The Confident Indie” for Kindle and I’m loving it! I was wondering if you had an ETA for your partner book featuring your Five Easy Steps? Thanks June – keep up the great work! Micah Writer L.A., CA Hi Micah, Oh! I [...]

I'll be speaking at the Creative Freelancer Conference this June. It is the 6th annual business conference for the creatively self employed. And if you don't know whom I consider to be creatively self-employed check it out here The Confident Indie: Creative? At the conference you'll hear from experts as well as your peers [...]

From Cheryl: Hello Ms. Walker. Thank you for taking my question. I purchased your book, from Amazon in 2010 and am at present re-reading it. I love it but I see that you have a new or revised version for sale. In the interest of saving money for myself, is the information in the [...]

June -- How do I determine an hourly 1099 rate for part time work? Nancy Physician Assistant Florida Dear Nancy, An hourly part-time worker is not a self-employed worker. He or she is typically an employee. If you are offering your services to many physicians and meet the [...]

June -- I see that your new book The Confident Indie says it is for the "creatively self-employed." Who does that mean? Robert San Francisco Dear Robert, I have lots to tell you about my new book, The Confident Indie: A Simple Guide to Deductions, Income and Taxes for The [...]

I am so pleased that so many of you have been asking about the 2013 edition of Five Easy Steps my simple how-to guide for manual and digital recordkeeping. It will include worksheets for your 2012 tax return. However, it's not quite ready yet. A little thing called the American Taxpayer Relief Act was [...]

June – I am just getting started as a sole-proprietorship with my business having part of my name in the title (1st initial+last name+designs). I have registered the business name through the County Clerk’s Office and running an add in the county newspaper for three weeks to see if anyone contests the business name. [...]

June -- I do not have a job. I just sign small agreement/contracts with music artist and design the cd covers for their cd albums. I do not print the artwork. i just simply do everything through the internet. Once i start making good money, would i have to pay self employment taxes even [...]

I've got some heartening news for you, indies. Well, actually I don't have it, it's in a Freelance Industry Report which was sent to me by my friend and colleague, Ed Gandia. I've mentioned Ed before and his book The Wealthy Freelancer.
The report shows that 90% of indies are happier now than before they [...]

Hello June,
My husband and I are needing an accountant, and some indie advice. He will be cooking lunches five days a week for students at a new startup charter school. They want to pay him as a contractor, and have asked him to register as an LLC. I don't believe he needs to [...]

Dear Ms. Walker:
I have been enjoying your book-Self Employed Tax Solutions for the independent professional, and at the present time i am trying to become an independent contractor with a multi-physician group. I will likely have the option of using a w2 or a 1099 form for taxes. Are there advantages to one [...]

Hi June,
I intend to hire a 1099 indie to help us in our sales activities. She wants to be reimbursed for her out of pocket expenses (travel, cell phone, insurance, car rental, etc.) separately in addition to her fees/commission.
She does not want us to show the expense reimbursement on her 1099.
[...]

June --
I am a Voice Actor. You ask: where do I get my tax advice? Thin air. (Very thin air...)
"Quick question" For 2010 I was told I couldn't deduct my voiceover training, travel for that training, or the expenses of putting my home studio together - all of which came close [...]

From Tim who purchased Five Easy Steps.
June,
I wanted to send you a quick note and thank you. The info you have put together is great and simple to follow.
One suggestion that I would give you is have you ever thought of doing this series of information in a podcast? [...]

June --
I'm new to all this and I really need help figuring out what steps to take to file my taxes / become a business.
I'm self employed (I guess?) by the governments definition, but my income is from such a range of things: I operate either a stationary booth or walk [...]

Hi June,
I have your book. I am 69 years old and make and sell waldorf dolls on Etsy. I gross less than $5000. My husband brings in gross, less than $22,000 and we do a joint filing. My SS is less than $2500. Do I need to file self employment this year?
[...]

June --
I get most of my tax advice from H and R Block.
I have been in business for 2 years now and I have had a loss both years. I was told if I show my loss this year the federal government can take my operating license. I have all my [...]

June --
I am in the process of finding a new accountant for my business and personal taxes. I have an appointment with a new one this week, but want to get as much information as possible from more than one source.
I own an LLC that is wholly mine. (My husband owns [...]

Hi June,
I have a follow up question to your advice to "describe your profession broadly" Tip #5 in Designers Dozen: Tax Saving Tips For The Graphic Artist.
I would like to list my profession as "movement professional" so that I can treat 1099 income from teaching pilates, dance, and artist fees from [...]

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